Why you should train with Jeff Shaw

Jeff and I ran parallel lives in North Carolina. He announced one of my Toro Cup matches, and I'd frequently see him out and about. We never actually officially met though, until a few months ago all the way on the other side of the country out here in Washington.

Since meeting up in Washington, I've been lucky to share the mats many times with Jeff for four different seminars, and many Sunday marathon rolling sessions.

Jeff is a really awesome guy and has just opened up a new place at Bellingham BJJ in Bellingham, WA. So I wanted to share why I think you should make an opportunity to train with him.

Why you should train with Jeff Shaw

-A Passionate Student and Teacher of JiuJitsu
Jeff is truly a student of JiuJitsu. He studies and knows more about competitors, instructors, and practitioners of anyone that I have ever met. He not only knows all about the happenings in the community but is also a passionate studier of technique. I've been to four different seminars with Jeff. At every one of them, he intently watches the instructor's details, asks conceptual questions, and fills up a notebook full of notes. That attention to details during instruction is vividly apparent when he passes on that knowledge to others, as his classes thoroughly cover those same details and concepts. He also teaches from a structure that personally is the best way for me to obtain and retain new information.

-A Facilitator
Because of his significant involvement within and knowledge of the JiuJitsu community, combined with his personality, Jeff is a phenomenal facilitator. If you want to learn a particular technique or style, attend a good competition, or want to train with a particular practitioner, Jeff will either help you accomplish that thing or at minimum, help you find the right direction. 

I also love and share Jeff's mentality is that there are only so many of us that train JiuJitsu, so why not share the mats with those that also love JiuJitsu. These means that all visitors are welcome and I've enjoyed many Sunday open mat sessions rolling with people from schools all over the area. I'm a huge fan of people that work to bring the community together and all get better as a whole.

-Fun Combined with Learning
Jeff is a super awesome guy. He's always attentive during conversation and always has a big smile as he energetically listens to you. That kind of person that you walk away from happier just from getting to talk to with. This translates into his classes and how he trains. While his classes are well thought out and structured, with sharp attention to the details, they always have a great sense of fun to be a part of. You'll typically see people smiling and laughing as they practice techniques, drill, and spar together.

Jeff is a ton of fun to train/roll with. Our rolls have always contained banter and laughs as we exchange chains of submission attacks and defenses against each other. I've always enjoyed a good time and lots of fun at all the classes that I've dropped in on at Bellingham BJJ.

Conclusion
Whether you are just thinking of starting JiuJitsu, are a seasoned practitioner, or a traveler looking for great training in an enjoyable atmosphere, I'd highly recommend that you make an opportunity to stop in at Bellingham BJJ and get a class in with Jeff.

About the Author:

Steven McMahon earned his Kyuki-Do Black Belt in 2011 from Grand Master Kim at Kim's Black Belt Academy and his  BJJ Purple Belt in January 2017 under Professor Charles Nunley. He currently trains out of Wakizashi BJJ in Oak Harbor under Professor Eli Trevino. He is an active competitor at Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Army Combative tournaments